Beck shakes up LAPD top brass

Newly appointed LAPD Chief Charlie Beck named his top command staff Monday and set up two new offices - including a special services division that will oversee counter terrorism and the detectives bureau - in a reorganization designed to "increase efficiency and improve effectiveness."

In a briefly worded department memo, Beck promoted Deputy Chief Michel Moore, who now heads the Valley Bureau, to assistant chief in charge of the new Office of Special Services.

Moore, who was in the running with Beck for the job of chief, is one of three assistant chiefs and one of six direct reports to Beck.

"I have taken the first step in reorganizing the department to increase efficiency and improve effectiveness," Beck said in the memo, adding some of the roles may be subject to budgetary review.

Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, Bratton's No. 2 who along with Moore and Beck were short listed for the chief job, was given Beck's former job as deputy chief of the Detective Bureau.

LAPD insiders said Beck has tried to reorganize his command staff to reduce the number of people reporting directly to him, hoping to use that freed up time for strategic planning.

That goal, they said, is reflected in the development of the two new offices with specialized functions to be overseen by assistant chiefs.

In his new role, Moore will oversee the detective bureau, counter terrorism, jail operations and the property division, where evidence is booked, and other departments.

Under former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, counter terrorism and the detective bureau reported directly to him.

The Office of Administrative Services will include personnel, training and information technology systems communication.

These newly created offices will communicate directly with the already established Office of Operations, which will remain under Paysinger's command.

Police Commissioner Alan Skobin said the changes are in line with the changes made by other chiefs.

"Every chief is entitled to have his own team in place," Skobin said. "I think the changes he made are pretty thoughtful and good.

"Promoting Moore is a good idea, although we will miss him in the Valley. But, he doesn't lose a beat with Albanese in there."

Albanese, who is now in charge of the South Bureau, has experience in the Valley, having planned and opened the Mission Area Police Station years ago.

Skobin said he did not believe there would be any opposition to the changes.

"Generally, the commission likes to give the chief some leeway in is command staff," Skobin said.

City Councilman Dennis Zine said changes in the top command structure were to be expected.

"It's like any new executive who comes in," Zine said. "He wants his own people so the department is run the way he wants. I do think it shows tremendous confidence in Mike Moore and Jim McDonnell, that he would put them in such key spots."

Other changes to be made include promoting Commander Pat Gannon to deputy chief of the South Bureau, promoting Commander Debbie McCarthy to deputy chief over the West Bureau.

MacArthur, now a deputy chief, is being promoted to Assistant Chief to run the Office of Administrative Services.

Chaleff, who has been in charge of compliance to ensure LAPD was meeting the federal consent decree imposed after the Rampart police corruption scandal earlier in the decade, stays on as special assistant to Beck. Chaleff will also work on budget issues.